WASHINGTON, DC, Jan. 17, 01 (CWNews.com) - Abortion advocates are engaging in a form of "pro-abortion McCarthyism" against President-elect George W. Bush's nominee for attorney general, according to a spokesman for the US bishops' conference.

    "While pro-life advocates are warned not to make opposition to abortion a 'litmus test' for assessing appointments to public office, abortion advocates employ their own pro-abortion standard with impunity," said Cathy Cleaver of the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities of the US bishops' conference. "When did a belief in the inalienable right to life become grounds for denying people the opportunity to serve their country? In effect, pro-life nominees for government service are being put on public trial for their beliefs-- trails whose tactics resemble those usually described as 'McCarthyism.'"

    Former US Senator John Ashcroft began nomination hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, facing questions on whether he would enforce laws regarding abortion, and whether his pro-life views and religious beliefs would prevent him from doing his duty. In testimony, he said the issue of the 1973 US Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade a "settled issue."

    Ashcroft said added that for the Justice Department to press the matter before the high court would damage its standing on other matters.

For other news stories, see

January 18, 2001
volume 12, no. 18
DAILY CATHOLIC News in the USA

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